Imagine showing up to a store and having all these items in one brand new book bag - not to mention, at no cost

Houston County families received that benefit and more Friday morning at the county's Back to School Bash.
Houston County Housing Authority and Habitat for Humanity ran the event. Kids got free book bags, food, face paint and hair cuts.

According to Housing Authority Executive Director Sheryl Frazier, the event removes the stress of returning to school.

"With the economic crisis we're in, people are having to choose whether or not they'll pay a bill, or get their child prepared to go back to school," said Frazier. "It's important that we as a community ensure that every child goes back, and that they start on a level playing field."

Exactly 1,100 book bags, filled with pencils, paper, crayons, and other supplies, were given away to Central Georgia families.